Believe in God

     For my last blog post as a missionary, I thought it would be appropriate to share the scripture that has affected me the most on my mission. It is "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." (Mosiah 4:9.)
     Often times I feel like I have a pretty good grip on my life. However, every now and again something happens to make a sudden change of events in my life and from what I can tell for no apparent reason. The way I have learned to deal with this concept is through that scripture. I guess it's the fact that I know that my life is in the hands of my Father in Heaven, who created ALL things, including me, who has ALL wisdom, ALL power and understands exactly why I go through the things I do in my life, that makes it all okay. He also knows how much I can handle and how it will help me to grow. It is so cool to me that my Father in Heaven has a complete understanding of everything and is always in the details of my life to ensure that I am okay and am not given anything that I cannot handle, at least not without His help. The same applies to you. Just remember, HE HAS BEEN THERE BEFORE! I offer this as my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Power to Heal

     Today, I hope to help you understand what the Atonement of Jesus Christ really means. Just the other day, I had someone tell me, "Well, I am so very grateful that Jesus died for me and I am forever in debt to Him for it, but that is nothing like being raped or losing a loved one, so how could He possibly be able to help me get through this?" I didn't realize that people actually thought that. In this post, I hope to have the Spirit help me teach you that ALL things that are unfair in life can be healed and made right through the Atonement of Christ.
     I have used this scripture before, but I feel it is appropriate to use it again. In Alma 7:11-12 it states that He toke upon Him the pains and the sicknesses of His people so He may know how to succor His people according to their infirmities. Again, the word "succor" more or less means to run to the aid, but how can He do that if the only thing His Atonement entailed was His death on the cross at Calvary. Let me tell you. I would like to begin by saying this, everything Jesus Christ did during His entire life and ministry was for the purpose of being able to "succor" us. He performed miracles, taught true doctrine and served the least of the people yet others still spat on Him and laughed at Him as He took His cross on His own back to the place of martyrdom. He knows what it feels like to be alone as He states, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) while on the cross. I asked the individual I previously mentioned above if they knew what the Garden of Gethsemane was and what had happened there. They told me they didn't know. I feel like this is a very important part of what the Atonement is, so I am going to explain it. In Luke 22:41-44 we read that it is here that Christ actually took upon Him the pains and sicknesses of the world. It talks about how Christ's agony was so great that He bled from His pores. I cannot imagine the amount of pain and anguish one must go through to bleed from their pores, but I can imagine it is more painful than anything you or I have experienced. Even if I may not have mentioned it on here, Christ has been through every negative thing you will go through in this life for the sole purpose of being able to "succor" you. That is charity for sure if you ask me! I love my Savior very much and cannot thank Him enough for all that He has done for me. Of this I testify in His sacred name, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

All Creatures of Our God and King!

      Lately, I have been putting a lot of thought into how wonderful of a gift from God our bodies are as well as the blessing that God has allowed us to live and experience life on this beautiful Earth. He spent 5 whole days preparing it and making it suitable for us to live on. The 6th day He made man and woman in His image and gave us dominion over every living thing that moves upon the Earth. (Genesis 1:26-28.) We should feel truly honored that not only did God make this beautiful perfect Earth for us but He made us in His image. Do you understand what that means? We are such a valuable treasure to our Heavenly Father that we were made to look exactly like Him. No other creature was made like Him. We truly are children of God. This gives me a whole different perspective on 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."



     A lot of people have tried to tell me "well, this is my body so I can do whatever I want to it." This makes me so sad because like the scripture says our bodies are God's and He loves us enough to let us use them. Lets just say for a moment our bodies were in fact completely ours, with the knowledge that we are made just like God and just the way He wanted us, why would you even want to change anything about your "temple?" Also, since our bodies are the temporary residence of our eternal spirit, what affects one will affect the other. By taking care of our bodies, we make our “temples” an acceptable house for our spirits.
     So what would be considered defiling your body? I would go as far as saying that anything that makes your body look or do things differently than it should would be defiling it. In other word, drugs, alcohol, tattoos, body piercings, immodesty, immoral thoughts and actions, and many more things defile your body and make it unclean.
     I would invite you the next time you think about doing something that might hurt your body in any way, give it one more thought and remember that it is the temple of God that you will be hurting. I know that God loves us as His children and wants us to be happy, so He gives us these beautiful bodies to enjoy life. Of this I am so very grateful and testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.




Here are some of the sources where my thoughts come from:

- Why are our bodies called temples of God in the Bible?
- What is the Mormon Church’s law of health and proper diet?
- How does modesty effect me spiritually?

Opposition and the Atonement

     Why do I have to experience bad days? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why can't life be easy? How come life is so unfair? Why cant I ever get a break? These are all questions I have asked myself along with many others. The answer I might suggest is opposition, and the solution is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Now let me explain using two scriptures, in the Book of Mormon, that have helped me to understand this principle.
     The first states, "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one;" (2 Nephi 2:11.) If every day was happy and perfect then that would be "normal." There would be no pleasure behind happiness because there is no reason for there to be. It would just be what we expect, with nothing special about it. How lame would that be! In order to really have a good day, sometimes we are going to have bad days. In order to really appreciate our health we need to experience sickness. There must be opposition so we can understand the difference.
     The second states, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind... He will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people... He will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12.) The word "succor" more or less means to run to the aid. So, this scripture is telling us that Christ not only suffered to redeem us from our sins, but He suffered so that He could be there for us as we go through the hard times in life. He did it so that He could run to our aid when we are struggling. He did it because He loves us and wants us to find happiness in life.
     I know that my Father in Heaven knows and loves me and will not let me go through anything that I can't handle, at least not on my own. In a time of need my Savior is there waiting and ready to help me along as I feel I can't go any further. So, when you are going through a hard time, just remember, someone has been there before and is ready to help you through it. "All that seems unfair in life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ..." (The Plan of Salvation.) I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Clutter

     In one of my areas on my mission, we had an exceptionally hard time keeping our apartment clean. It didn't matter what was done, there always seemed to be a mess. I think the biggest reason was because there were 4 of us elders living in a 2 bedroom apartment. This wasn't so much of a problem when we were out doing missionary work. I could focus and keep track of all the things I needed to do and get them done just fine, but as soon as we got home for the night to plan or studied in the morning I had the hardest time doing so. Now keep in mind, there are very few things in this world that distract me more than a big mess. It made me so frustrated! It wasn't until we finally got our own apartment that we were able to keep up on our mess and have a clean apartment. It was so nice to have that change and the spirit in our apartment was so different and it allowed us to keep a clear mind and focus all our efforts on our work. I had never realized how true the teaching of the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley was, which states, "cleanliness is next to godliness,” until I had experienced the beauty of a clean apartment.



     Now I want to relate this to your life. There are many voices in the world that compete for your attention. If you allow those voices to clutter your mind they can easily drown out the things that help you focus on Christ. How on Earth can you expect to focus on Christ throughout your day if you fill the entirety of it with garbage like mindless television, video games, or even Facebook? How could you even try to focus your thoughts on Christ if you cloud your mind with drugs and alcohol? How can others see the Light of Christ in you if you are hateful, dishonest, or judgmental? My invitation to you would be to unclutter your life and fill it with things of eternal worth like reading your scriptures, praying to God, and exemplifying the attributes of Christ. I know that as you do so, you will see changes in your life that will ultimately bring you joy in life and help you have more of a clear mind. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hearken: New Mission President

     A few weeks back I made a post on hearkening to the will of the Lord. Due to another event on my mission, I felt a need to make a second post about this very same principle. A couple weeks ago, we got a call from the assistants to the mission president telling us that we were having a surprise meeting in Nashville 2 days later, and all missionaries from the mission were to attend. This very rarely happens, so of course all the missionaries were making speculations on what was going to happen. Some thought China was going to be opened to missionary work and a good chunk of our mission was going to be sent over there, some thought we were going to head to Oklahoma to help clear up the destruction from the tornadoes or make care packages for them of some sort, and some thought we might have our mission split into 2 missions. As we gathered for this meeting, there was such an energy in the room due to the fact that we had over 200 missionaries (CRAZY) gathered together in the chapel awaiting whatever training was to be received.  We were quickly informed that our mission president and his wife, The Mckees, were being released at the end of the month and that we were going to have a new mission president. I was very saddened by the news, but as the meeting went on and the spirit was so strong I received very quickly a confirmation that it was the will of the Lord. I have been thinking about this for the last month or so and have learned a couple things from it. The thing I wanted to focus on is the principle of "with callings come releases." Today is the days that they are being released from their calling. One thing that President McKee was great at teaching us was that the same priesthood keys that called them to serve as the Tennessee Nashville Mission President are the same priesthood keys that called them to be released from that same calling. I am grateful for the example of the McKee's to serve the Lord and to accept His will in ALL things! Their attitude about it is quite extraordinary as well. I am excited to have President and Sister Andersen here with us as our new mission president and am grateful for their example to accept the call to serve. I sure look forward to meeting them at our zone conference this next week!
     I invite you all to take a look at your life and find something that is not in alignment with the Lord and then change it. Experiment and see the blessing that will come forth! It is great to have a knowledge that the Lord knows exactly what we need in our lives and is always making the changes to it that will ultimately help us grow and learn the most. Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Fatherhood: A Glimpse of the Divine

     Watch this video on Fathers and see how the role of our earthly father is synonymous to the role of our Heavenly Father, and how a noble father gives us a glimpse of the Divine.

     I loved this video a ton, because it really helped me to see the love that my Heavenly Father must really have for me. We truly are the children of our Heavenly Father. We are given this beautiful Earth that is our world. We have food and toys and things that we desire that make us happy. We are given trial and sorrow that help us grow. We can communicate through prayer and scripture study. He answers us with what we need. He truly is the perfect Father and wants us to ultimately be happy.

     I too love my earthly father immensely. I cherish every moment that I get to spend with him. He truly is everything I want to be, my role model, my inspiration, my example, and most importantly my best friend. I hope that I can be as great as him one day. He is an amazing man and quite frankly the best dad I ever had. Happy Father's Day! SURE LOVE YA!

Why a Mission?

     As a missionary, many people ask you a very difficult question to answer, "Why did you decide to serve a mission?" Now keep in mind that we serve for 2 years as missionaries, and that covers a good amount of time for someone of my age. When you are like me and have been out for almost 22 months of your mission, the reason you decided to serve a mission is not able to change, but the reason you are still out may have. So, as important of a question as it may seem to be to find out why a missionary decided to serve, the answer you will get may not be as up-to-date as it could be. One of my past missionary companions, Elder Webb, always liked to present this question in contrast, as he felt it would get a more up-to-date answer to virtually the same question, "Why are you still on a mission?"
     Let me share with you how they are different. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to serve a mission. I was never forced into it, I wasn't bribed, I really had no agenda at all, other than I just really wanted to serve a mission, and be a missionary. I always liked it when the missionaries came over to our house for dinner, because they were so cool to me. I wanted to be just like them. That is a good reason to go on a mission and it got me to go on one, but it isn't the only reason to go, nor is it necessarily the best reason.
     Although my desire to be a missionary has not changed, my list of reasons for still being on my mission have gotten longer. Seeing a family become more united with the knowledge that THEY CAN BE A FAMILY FOR ALL ETERNITY, and being able to carry THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WITH MINE are just 2 of the many reasons that have been tacked on my list. My most recent reason to stay on my mission was strengthened just last night, when we gathered together in Pulaski, TN at our Family Home Evening (FHE) activity in the park. We had a pretty slim group last night, but as we started to talk about who else could be there that was not, the Spirit under that pavilion changed and excitement filled every person in attendance. These people in Giles County are very desirous to have their own branch (congregation) in Pulaski and you can see it in their countenance as we meet every Monday at 6pm in the park. So right now you could say I am still on a mission, because I AM HERE TO ORGANIZE A BRANCH IN PULASKI!
     Just remember, it doesn't matter why someone decided to serve a mission, what matters is why they are still out. I love being a missionary and love being able to serve my God in His work! There is nowhere else I'd rather be. I write this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hearken: Accepting "Thy Will"

Hear·ken [här k n] v. Listen with the intent to obey.

     The scriptures often use the word hearken when someone is being counseled to do something. This word is often not viewed as important or as powerful as it truly is. When the Lord tell us to hearken, He expects us to listen and obey. However, the scriptures are not the only place the Lord tells us to hearken to His counsel. We are also expected to hearken the council of the prophets, leaders and ALWAYS the Spirit.

     I would like to share with you an experience of my life that has helped me gain a testimony of this principle. Being a missionary we are expected to be very flexible in where we are to serve as we get moved around quite frequently. A few weeks ago, I got a call from my mission president telling me that I was going to be transferred from Clarksville, TN to Cookeville, TN. I was just stunned at this and really didn't know what to say. I accepted the assignment and change, but I was doing it grudgingly. Now, like I said before us as missionaries get moved around a lot and we expect it, but there is a method to it. Every 6 weeks we receive a call that tells us we will stay for another 6 weeks or go somewhere else. This particular call was in the middle of the 6 weeks, which is what made it unpredicted and which was really this initial cause of my disappointment and frustration. There were also a lot of great things happening in Clarksville that I didn't want to miss out on. I got to Cookeville the next day and struggled there for a week or so. I realized shortly after that I was physically in Cookeville, but mentally still in Clarksville. It wasn't until I realized that, that I knew I needed to willingly accept this change that the Lord had asked of me. After I learned to hearken and accept "Thy will," I was able to enjoy my time there. I truly believe that if I had not changed my perspective I would have wasted the very short time of 4 weeks that I was given there. Yes, I got transferred again that next transfer call to Pulaski, TN, but I know that this is what the Lord wants and I am happy to do it. That transfer prepared me to be called to build a Branch in Pulaski which has not had missionaries for many years. Part of the miracle is that we have had over 20 people attending our little church gathering (congregation) for the last few weeks as a result of Elder Clark and I being called to serve here.

     The Lord tells you, " I...am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10.) Also, that "there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 130:20-21.) I know this to be true, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Motherhood: A Divine Calling

     I just want to start off by saying, I LOVE MY MOM! Okay, now that I have that off my chest, I want you to watch this awesome video and reflect back on the women in your life who have loved, mentored, and mothered you. Think about the many things those women have done for you! Now WATCH!

     So, I have been told a couple of times in my life that often women do not particularly enjoy Mother's Day. Well, if this is you, then I am going to be speaking mostly to you in this post. As it has been explained to me, it is often the fact that women see how awesome other's mothers are and how much they lack in comparison that makes Mother's Day such a drag; or maybe, it is that the expectations of how Mother's Day should be spent are often not met. Whatever the case may be, put it aside for just one moment. You, by the simple fact of being a woman, have a divine nature that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones, so cherish that. You are doing God's work. Your motherhood is an eternal partnership with Him. In my humble opinion, and as the video explained, a mother is someone who loves, and mentors others. So, I would like to add that you do not have to have children to be a mother. Any woman could have children, but in my opinion, it takes someone who is willing to care for and nurture someone out of charity and love to be a mother. For those who decide to take that divine role upon themselves thank you! Our Father in Heaven has trusted you to work with Him in raising His sons and daughters. How great is your call and how lucky are you. I hope and pray you enjoy your divine calling and have a wonderful Mother's Day! :)

P.S. If I didn't already mention it before, I LOVE YOU MOM!!!

New Year (Don't Live in the Past)

     It's a new year and with that come the chance for a brand new start. Everyone and their dog sets new years resolutions, which are great! The only problem is that we keep them for about a week or 2 and then they seem to disappear. I have been on the search to find the cure to this for a little while now and I can't seem to find it. Let me suggest an idea I have that can maybe replace these failing new years resolutions. Take a look back on this past year (2012) and think of all the many wonderful things you have done for people (family, friends, coworkers, etc.) as well as many of the wonderful things people have done for you. Now think about some things you wish you would have done differently. Maybe it is spend more time with family, or maybe it is give more of your time to God, or it may have even been that you wish you would have let yourself enjoy life more. Whatever the case may be, there is at least one thing in this past year of your life that you wish you could make better, and for some reason it is always so hard to accept that we cannot change the past. Let me repeat that. YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR PAST, however, we can make some changes to our lives so that we will be happy with our future.
     Now here is my challenge. Look back on this past year, not to be back there again or to try to change it, but to make this next year even better. Find one thing that you would like to be better at and do it. When you fail, do it again. Don't give up because you missed one day of being home with your family, or because you forgot to say a prayer one night before bed. Keep working at it till this change becomes you, then find something else and work on that. I know that if we look back on our life, not with the desire to be back there or to change it, but to learn then we will be much happier in our life. Just remember, live in the present.

Happy New Year!!!